The Quakes and Wells Fargo are humbled and inspired by the amazing work of our frontline communities and neighbors in this time of crisis. Each week, we’ll be featuring and highlighting the work of one fantastic neighborhood hero, showcasing the great work they are doing and the organizations our community can rally around.
Additionally, a donation will be made to an organization or community project on behalf of each week’s hero. This week we will be donating to the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA).
Micheal Moll is a long-time local who grew up involved with sports and the San Jose culture. Pre-pandemic, Micheal was working for a family farm which delivered fresh products to the doors of customers. But once the virus hit, Micheal was out of work.
He heard about the Quakes announcing a new initiative called Pledge 74, which would combat local hunger by fundraising, awareness and volunteer opportunities with organizations around Santa Clara County.
“I found myself sitting at home a lot,” says Micheal. “I wanted to help volunteer with the Earthquakes— I thought I might as well be active and help the community.”
Micheal saw the volunteer opportunity through a Quakes newsletter email. With plenty of time on his hands, he decided to register for all the events that were listed without hesitation.
After five months since the kickoff of Pledge 74, Micheal leads the volunteers and staff with over 47 hours served since July. So far, Micheal has only missed one or two volunteer opportunities out of the 23 events.
Micheal says that though volunteering is something he loves to do, the opportunities haven’t always presented themselves in this way. Now that he’s had the time to prioritize volunteering, it’s become something he looks forward to.
“I just wanted to do it, but I never had an opportunity to do it,” Micheal says. “But now that I have an opportunity, I’m all about it.”
The organizations that the Quakes have partnered with through Pledge 74 are heavily reliant on volunteers to maximize the impact they make and the mouths they feed. With these agencies being able to count on volunteers like Micheal, more lives are impacted. “I think it’s awesome, it feels really good to be counted on,” he says.
Micheal says it’s easy to find yourself drifting away when you’re not working or preoccupied. Taking the pledge has given him something to do that feels rewarding. “Now that I’m doing volunteer work it makes me more productive,” he says.
Even after the pandemic passes, Micheal sees volunteerism as something he will continue doing, regardless of having a consistent or full work schedule. Volunteering on a regular basis has helped Micheal build relationships with the community and connect with people doing great things for others.
Visit pledge74.org to take the pledge or learn more about the Quakes’ response to local food insecurity, and click here to see Micheal serving with Hunger At Home.
